“…For Alana Simmons, 26, Nadine Collier, 47, Bethane Middleton-Brown, 45, Felicia Sanders, 58, and Polly Sheppard, 71, the shooting wasn’t just another headline. It was an act of hatred that took the lives of their loved ones and, for two of them, nearly their own. Today, these women are teaching the world by example the healing strength of peace and unity: from starting social media movements, to advocating for gun control, to asking how we can raise our children to better appreciate differences.

The awards ceremony will take place on November 9 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Previous honorees, Serena Williams, fellow tennis badass, Billie Jean King as well as Madeleine Albright and Samantha Power will also be in attendance to past the torch to this years recipients. Congrats to all!